John C. Breese was born 1924 in Wisconsin to Clinton Samuel Breese (1894-1975) (WI) and Charlotte E. (Bruce) Breese (1896-1966) (IL) (married 21 October 1922). Siblings included Robert B. Breese (1928-2016), Margaret (Breese) Kilpatrick (1932- ). His father was employed by Waukesha Savings Building & Loan Association and they resided at 239 W. College, Waukesha, Wisconsin.

After enlisting, he completed flight instruction through advanced schools and was multi-engine rated to fly the Curtiss C-46 Commando. He earned his commission and wings. He was sent overseas to India. On 1 March 1945, a C-46A-55, # 43-47154, assigned to Air Transport Command, Barrackpore, India, 1340th AAF Base Unit, departed the airfield at Myitkyina, Burma, on a cargo mission to Kunming, China. 2nd Lt Breese was a third qualified pilot aboard. The C-46 was not heard from since its departure at about 1530 Zulu. Note re MSgt Dahlstrom: 1804th AAF Base Unit – Protestant – 5’11”, 175 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes, size 10E shoe. Dental chart available. Age 24. After recovery from overseas, the crew (Breese, Carnie, Dahlstrom, Bayne & Capell) were buried in a common grave in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, Missouri, on 29 August 1949 (Sec. 82, Graves 25-26).